Is your travel business on trend for 2019?

Bulgaria comes a surprise top in the ABTA 2019 travel trends (Association of British Travel Agents) report of destinations to watch, with Denver, Uzbekistan and Western Australia also featuring in the list of 12. The annual report also cites the resurgence of trusted travel experts (which is great to read), and the shift of responsible travel to the mainstream, as well as a growth in wellness and tailor-made package holidays.

Is your travel business covering these top 12 destinations and staying ahead of the trend in terms of global reach and services to your customers – whether corporate or consumer? In these days of tagging on pleasure to business trips, everyone needs to be aware of all the current trends.

Here’s my take on the top 12 destinations – make sure they’re covered with expert staff in your travel business.

2019 Travel Trends: ABTA Top 12 destinations to watch

1 Bulgaria is one of those places that once people have been they try to convert everyone else – think Croatia five years ago, so it's perfect as a top entrant for 2019 travel trends. Cities such as Sofia and Plovdiv are full of historic beauty without the crowds of Prague or Budapest. The forested and mountainous landscape offers unspoiled beauty, and beach and ski resorts are great value for money. If you go, remember that Bulgarians shake their heads to mean yes, and nod to mean no.

2 In second place is Costa Rica, which already receives around 1.7 million tourists a year, but these are mostly from the US and Canada. It’s a destination that’s on the rise for travelling Brits, and definitely a great 2019 travel trends country. It tends to be a place offering multi-destination tailor-made trips, covering rainforest packed with stunning wildlife, visiting volcanoes, and beach resorts either on the Pacific or less-visited Caribbean coast. Eco-tourism experiences are a big pull here.

3 Third is the city of Denver. Set against the Rockies, it’s a big buzzy city that’s a gateway to national parks and great skiing. Ski holidays in the US have been a steady growth area for the UK market keen to try something different from Europe.

4 Durban, is number four, set in the diverse KwaZulu-Natal, coastal province known for beaches, mountains and savannah populated by big game. With Cape Town an obvious South African attraction, visitors are spreading out. Visitors head to the Drakensberg Mountains, to see the big five in game reserves and to see the ancient rock art, as well as enjoy South Africa’s well-priced and excellent food and drink.

5 Galicia, the autonomous region in northwest Spain on the Atlantic coast is most famous for Santiago de Compostela, a key destination for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago route. The cathedral in Santiago is spectacular, and worth a visit for non-pilgrims, too, at the heart of a beautiful historic city. Apart from this route it’s relatively untouristy, with a huge wild coastline offering cliffs, beaches, islands and fishing ports. Seafood is a speciality of the region.

6 Japan is sixth, and already on a lot of travellers’ radars, but people are venturing further afield. People want authentic experiences such as foodie tours, stays in traditional ryokan 17th-century inns, or visiting festivals, as well as experiencing the buzz of Tokyo.

7 Jordan is much more than just Petra, but don’t miss it. Diving in the Red Sea is spectacular, and the country is famed for being extremely hospitable. It’s also the place to float in the Dead Sea.

8 Madeira is having a resurgence as a sunny getaway for Brits, though it’s not a beachy place, more rocks, cliffs and mountains (the highest point is 1862 meters), offering spectacular views. Action and activity holidays such as hiking and mountain biking are on the rise here. One way to get great views of its city, Funchal, is by riding the cable car up the hill, then tobogganing down on a wicker toboggan, driven by sledge drivers dressed in straw hats, white trousers and special shoes that allow them to keep traction.

9 Poland is ninth, partly because it’s so well connected to the UK these days (hopefully post Brexit, the routes will stay open). With inexpensive travel and unspoiled historic cities such as Krakow, Warsaw and Gdańsk, it’s perfect weekend-break territory. You can even ski in the Tatra Mountains.

10 Greeks have long been aware of the appeal of the large port of Thessaloniki on the north west coast on the Aegean Sea, and we’re starting to catch up. Well-kept historic sites including museums and monuments are a feature of this ancient city, founded in 313BC and named after the sister of Alexander the Great. It’s an authentic Greek experience, complete with wonderful beaches just around the coast.

11 So far Uzbekistan has been in the realm of adventurous travellers, but where they lead others follow. It offers spectacularly decorated mosques, minarets and mausoleums and a varied cosmopolitan history from being part of the trading route Silk Road between Europe and China. The ancient cities of Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva are dotted with Persian-inspired domes, winding narrow streets, bazaars and beautiful buildings. Traditional trades are kept up including silk weaving and paper making, both brought from China. It’s a fascinating and friendly place.

12 Western Australia is much more than Perth; the state covers the entire western third of Australia. There’s plenty to do – Perth itself has gone from being a slightly dull city to a buzzing tourism hub with great restaurants, bars and boutique hotels. But go beyond, to travel up and down the coast, snorkel on the Ningaloo Reef, and visit the Bungle Bungle mountains.

Have you visited any of these destinations? If so, any tips?

You may also wish to connect with Progressive Travel Recruitment on LinkedIn to find the best travel talent, explore a mix of global travel vacancies and keep up with 2019 travel trends.

Thank you for reading, James.